HAWC launches new physical training clinic Published July 15, 2013 By Airman 1st Class Stephan Coleman 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- This month, the health and wellness center launched new performance and nutrition clinics, 7:30 a.m. Monday-Friday. The clinics are unique to Keesler since there is no longer an Air Force-wide mandated program for physical training failures. The HAWC program is designed as a "one-stop shop" to achieve running, strength and nutritional greatness. Strength and running training are held at the Dragon Fitness Center and Triangle Track with Albert Ciampa, 81st Aerospace Medical Squadron. Nutrition courses are taught in the HAWC classroom by Kimberly Krapcha, 81st AMDS. The clinics are intended to assist those who have received an "unsatisfactory" on physical training tests, but are open to anyone. "The program has taken the place of the 'Be Well' class and is free to attend," said Krapcha. "Once members get an 'unsatisfactory' on a PT test, they may be enrolled in one or all parts of our performance clinic. Our class is beneficial in that members will be accountable to us daily if enrolled in all parts and we are taking members out of lecture-type classrooms and engaging them in activity." If a service member fails a PT test, one or all of five different scenarios can take place: 1. An online "Be Well" course can be taken that reminds the service member of physical training expectations. 2. The service member is directed to the nutrition facet of the performance clinic for help with diet. 3. The strength training portion of the performance clinic is assigned. 4. Cardio classes are assigned. 5. Military One Source, a Defense Department program, is provided as an extra outlet of support to those that continue to struggle. The free program provides 24/7 resources and support to active-duty, National Guard and Reserve service members and their families anywhere in the world. Those that fail a PT test will sit down with their supervisor and commander to decide which course of action or combinations of assistance are needed, said Ciampa. Mondays and Wednesdays are strength and sprint training days at the Dragon Fitness Center. Friday sessions are located at the Triangle Track for a long-distance sprint. Ciampa teaches running mechanics and leads his students in kettle bell workouts for strength training. Teaching proper running is especially important, because the running portion of the PT test is really a long sprint, not a distance run, said Ciampa. "In the case of the running part of the test, people aren't failing from a lack of running," said Ciampa. "It's from not running the right way." The course aims to clear up misconceptions and gear members toward efficient methods of training. "Preparing for the PT test is simple," said Ciampa. "It may not be easy, but it is simple. The performance clinic is a comprehensive way to provide all the simple and correct information needed to succeed. What people need to understand is that there is a big difference between exercise and training. Exercise is a one-time sweat session, while training is gradual." That gradual training includes nutrition clinic classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the HAWC classroom. Performance nutrition is a step above the basic nutrition guidelines for the general population, said Krapcha. "For most, nutrition is the more important piece but often gets forgotten," Krapcha pointed out. "Let's say the average person works out one hour a day, five days a week. It might be non-stop intense for that entire 60 minutes, but that still leaves 163 hours every week to ruin those intense gym sessions." Krapcha compared the human body to an automobile. "You wouldn't ask your car to drive from here to Miami on empty or put soda in the gas tank instead of gas," she explained. "So, if we want to become healthy or see improvement, we can't do it in the gym alone and we can't do it with the wrong kind of fuel." For more information, call 228-376-3170.